Pan American Airways - Destination PC's

Pan American Airways - Destination PC's

Most airline postcard collectors prefer postcards with airplanes but there is a lot more to airline history than aircraft. Fortunately for collectors many other aspects of the growth of the airlines is available on postcards. Pan Am during its heyday was one of the major airlines flying around the world. They made a series of postcards usually given to passengers along with their tickets showing scenic views in countries they serviced. This type of postcard is commonly called a destination postcard. Many airlines made cards like this but no airline more than Pan Am. In this section I'm showing Pan Am's destination postcards issued prior to 1960. These are not popular with pictures of airplane collectors and most can be acquired for a few dollars or less except for the earliest Real Photo series. The postcards all show interesting views to promote traveling with Pan American World Airways.

1 - 40 of 184 Images8594 visitsAlbum by Barry Hepsley

Cuba. Native Rumba Dancing 2-1/2 Hours from Miami, Fla. by Pan American Airways. Card 261. Both of these Real Photo cards are the only ones I've seen.	Cuba, Havana. "The Prado" 2 Hours from Miami, Florida, via Pan American Airways. Card 268. There are other non-destination cards in the series.	Cuba. DOPS stamp box on back of these two cards. Based on the numbers and the style of text on the front of the cards I believe these two postcards are part of a series out of Miami. See the Gerecke album.	Brazil. Rio de Janeiro This series of 6 cards are early Chrome postcards made with a dull finish. From the platform before the statue of Christ atop the Corcovado.
Cuba. Morro Castle, Havana The cards were made in 1947. The Morro Castle, completed in 1597, guards the Havana harbor.	Guatemala. Carrying water in Jugs Common to all is PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS bottom left on the back of the cards. Guatemala is easily reached by Clipper.	Mexico. Mayan Pyramids 1947 Chrome postcard. The pyramids of Chichen Itza.	Mexico Palms along shore near Acapulco 1947 Chrome postcard. Palms are an enchanting site at sundown.
Panama. Beauty poses for movie shot. Ancient Spanish cathedral wall in Old Panama.	Typical back for the 1947 Chrome series. Text in 3 languages and info on centerline on back of card.	Panama. Beauty poses for movie shot A series of Linen postcards were started in 1948 using some of the images from the 1947 Chrome series and adding some new ones.	Guest Houses First new image of the 1948 Linen series. Guest houses at Trinidad, Brasil, and Puerto Rico.
Cuba. Morro Castle, Havana The 1948 Linen version of the 1947 Chrome postcard.	Guatemala. Carrying water in Jugs The 1948 Linen version of the 1947 Chrome postcard.	Mexico. Mayan Pyramids The 1948 Linen version.	Argentina. Buenos Aires' restaurants Part of the 1948 Linen series. Baby beef and wine to a King's taste!
Brazil. Copacabana Beach at Rio de Janeiro. Part of the 1948 Linen series. One of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.	Guatemala. Cathedral in City of Guatemala Part of the 1948 Linen series. From the picturesque Guatemala City.	Mexico. Native fishermen on Lake Patzcuaro Part of the 1948 Linen series. Primitive canoes and butterfly nets.	Mexico. Skilled silversmiths and expert weavers. Part of the 1948 Linen series. Westidos Regionales.
United States. Miami Beach Part of the 1948 Linen series. Famous beaches, perennial sunshine, and beautiful girls.	Typical back for the 1948 Linen series. Note: This is the same style back as the 1947 Chrome series.	Bermuda - Where It's Always Spring Likely a single card issue. Only 3 hours from the U.S. by Clipper.	Bermuda - Where It's Always Spring 1b Dated on the back 1950. Have not seen other cards with this back.
In the Lebanon. Baalbeck Series from Lebanon. Real Photo postcard. Could be other cards in the series.	In the Lebanon. Cedars Another card in the Series from Lebanon. Until I see a postmarked example I'm estimating the series from the early 1950's.	In the Lebanon. Typical back for series Simple Agfa back printed somewhere in Europe or the Middle East.	Argentina. Buenos Aires. Folk dances 669-53 in centerline text on back. Gauchos and girls performing.
Haiti. "La Citadelle". Mountain top fortress 673-53 in centerline text on back. On the north coast of Haiti.	Mexico. Oaxaca. Indian feather dancers 674-53 in centerline text on back. Only 2 hours by air from Mexico City.	Uruguay. Montevideo. Plaza Independencia Park 671-53 on back. One of South America's famous playgrounds.	Typical back for the 1953 dated Series. Text in 3 languages. No PAA logo.
Winged Logo. 3 Languages.	Argentina. Buenos Aires. "9th of July" Avenue. Buenos Aires is the southern terminal for PAA's Latin American service.	Brazil. Rio de Janeiro. Sugarloaf Mountain. Clipper flights north to the U.S. and south to Montevideo and Buenos Aires.	Jamaica. Tropical gardens near Ocho Rios. A popular stopover on Caribbean Circle Tours.
Mexico. Threshing wheat in the mountains of Oaxaca. All of the principal cities of Mexico are served by PAA.	Puerto Rico. Flying Clipper view of San Juan. San Juan averages 360 sunny days a year.	St. Lucia in the Caribbean. Typical of the beautiful West Indies is the island of St. Lucia.	Trinidad. Beach along Maracas Bay. Maracas Bay is near Port of Spain in Trinidad.